Bill Belichick on Wes Welker playing: ‘I don’t know’

Credit: Ted Fitzgerald

STATUS QUESTIONABLE: Bill Belichick was still unclear on whether Tom Brady will have Wes Welker to throw to during tonight’s exhibition against the New Orleans Saints.

FOXBORO - Wes Welker made his appearance at minicamp before anyone expected. He participated fully in training camp before anyone expected.

Could the Patriots receiver actually play in tonight’s preseason game against the Saints?

Just seven months after tearing the ACL in his left knee during the 2009 regular-season finale, few would expect that. Yet coach Bill Belichick didn’t rule it out yesterday.

“We’ll see how it goes here and make a decision on that (today),” Belichick said. “I don’t know. I’m not saying he will, I’m not saying he won’t. We’ll evaluate it and see.”

Welker provided the play of the day in the final joint practice against the Saints, making a leaping catch in the end zone during team drills. Asked Tuesday if he would play tonight, Welker said, “I have no idea. That’s up to the doctors and coaches.”

Sage advice

When practice ended, Laurence Maroney found himself in the company of Patriots royalty. Sam “Bam” Cunningham, the running back who will be inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame this afternoon, pulled Maroney aside for some advice.

The two spoke for more than 20 minutes.

“We talked more about how it’s a short time in our lives and you need to put as much into it as you can,” Cunningham said. “Afterward, you and your family get to appreciate what you did for that little short time.”

Maroney wouldn’t divulge any more of Cunningham’s words, saying it would take too long. But speaking to the former Patriot was an honor for him.

“It was some nice motivational insight that he gave to me that I’m going to take and run with it,” said Maroney, who added that he’ll cherish the fact that both players donned No. 39. “He was just telling me, ‘It’s our number. Just keep it going.’ ”

Practices perfect

To no one’s surprise, the joint practices between the teams earned rave reviews, with Belichick offering the experience the highest compliment. He called it “probably one of the most productive practices I’ve been a part of in my career.”

“We saw a lot of things from the Saints that we haven’t seen working against ourselves,” Belichick said. “We can walk through them, talk through them, but it’s different when a good team does them and hurts you with them and you have to make those changes. It’s been a great learning experience.” . . .

Pats owner Robert Kraft took Saints counterpart Tom Benson out for dinner, telling him he was proud of what the Saints did for the city of New Orleans. The two did some joking, too.

“I was trying to pick his brain to learn how to sell automobiles and run banks and build a Super Bowl team in this decade,” Kraft said. “He said he hoped we could both play each other again this year, and that would be in (his) neighboring state of Texas (in the Super Bowl). I hope he’s prescient.”

Wheatley in corner

A former second-round draft pick, cornerback Terrence Wheatley is now in a battle for his roster spot with the influx of youth at his position. He hasn’t allowed himself to wonder, what if?

“If that is the situation (and I’m released), it’s not going to change for me thinking about it night and day,” Wheatley said. “Whatever happens, happens. I’m just out here playing hard and at the end of the day, it’s not my call.” . . .

After suffering a heat-related scare that resulted in him being whisked away in a golf cart after Tuesday’s practice, linebacker Marques Murrell didn’t miss one workout. The special teamer and pass-rusher practiced yesterday, even taking first-team reps at outside linebacker. . . .

The Patriots re-signed running back Thomas Clayton two days after cutting him. . . . Guard Darnell Stapleton was released.